Ricoh R10 – Digital camera – compact – 10.0 Mpix with a fleeting subject, capture the beauty with precision and clarity. For every photographic situation, the RICOH R10 has both high resolution and the ease-of-use to put it at anyone’s full command.In addition to its superior color reproduction, Smooth Imaging Engine III provides sophisticated image processing even in high-sensitivity shooting. This reduces noise without compromising resolution, the result being sharp and clear outlines and non-grainy images.Image setting functions enable you to change picture qualities (contrast, sharpness, color depth, black and white, sepia, etc.) while shooting. If you select “auto levels”, the camera automatically adjusts tones to create a suitable level of brightness that limits whiteout and reduces loss of detail in dark areas when shooting high-contrast subjects.In both macro and normal shooting, the AE/AF targets can be shifted alone or together to any position on the screen. This enhances shooting freedom by enabling you to change focus and exposure settings without moving the camera, even if it is fixed to a tripod.The 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD monitor is convenient both when shooting and viewing images. Its high contrast and wide viewing angle make for easy viewing even when shooting outdoors.Still images in the camera can be enlarged and trimmed. The trimming is easily done by specifying the trimming frame and size.
Helpful consumer’s review
WHO I AM: I’m not a pro. I am a competent amateur who likes to have a camera on hand at all times as I spend much of my time in the outdoors (desert) in all kinds of weather conditions. I needed to replace my trusty Canon SD600 which after giving me many years of excellent, consistently reliable service, was giving up the ghost. The camera I was looking for had to be responsive, versatile, tough, and off course take good photos. What attracted me to the R10 was it’s 7.1 zoom, it’s small(ish) size and it’s apparently sturdy build. So I read up on the few reviews that were available, ignored those that mentioned photo quality problems (I said to myself “I’m not a pro, so I’m not too finicky”) and bought the camera. I’ve been using it now for about 1.5 months and it’s time to write this review.
THE GOOD: The R10 is well-built, quite solid, lighter than I though it would be. It fits in a larger size pocket so it goes hiking with me all the time. It boots up quickly, the functions are easily accessible except some that are buried inside menus, the zoom capability is stunning and so is the display. Controls are comfortably located and as a whole the camera works well, has good ergonomics and good looks.
THE BAD: I like this camera’s functionality even though I still haven’t used all of its tricks, but this is not a perfect camera .a. I would have liked to see some sort of protective shroud around the combination shutter release/zoom control because it sticks out on top of the body — as I take the R10 in and out of my pocket for those quick shots the control can sometime snag. I worry that it might snap off because it seems to be a bit on the fragile side. b. Given the R10’s price tag, photo quality is not what it should be; it’s unreliable and often stinks. Under the same light conditions, the same subject and the same camera settings, the same shot comes out differently and most commonly with washed out colors that I then have to fix using image-processing software. c. I’ve noticed occasional focusing problems, and d. The flash makes colors really harsh.
FINALLY: Would I buy this camera had I known? Although this is not a bad camera, I must say no because of image quality. Ricoh, you built a good camera but it just doesn’t take consistently good photos — this is unacceptable given the camera’s price and otherwise excellent features. I’m thinking I might have to go back to Canon…
